Farmeroid Kottayam, Kerala

TAPIOCA CHIPS A South Indian and Sri Lankan delicacy, made from thin wafers of Tapioca/ Cassava/Kappa/Maravalli Kilangu or Kuchi Kilangu in Tamil root fried in coconut oil, salted and often spiced with Red Chilli Powder. Widely available in north Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and parts of North India. High in carbohydrates, it is nevertheless a crunchy and tasty snack. The chips are crunchier than banana or more easily available potato chips. Common variants include the non-spicy and spicy (red chilli powder and other spices added).   Spicy and Non Spicy Tapioca Chips are common Kerala’s Snacks. The chips are also used as traditional welcome snacks

Sarkara Varatti or Banana chips coated with jaggery is a traditional sweet dish popular among the Keralites. It is also known by the name ‘Sarkara Upperi’. It’s extensively prepared during Onam festival season and used as a side dish in sadyas. Chopped banana pieces and jaggery are the essential ingredients in making this snack. Good quality raw bananas are used for making Sarkara Upperi. The use of jaggery imparts a sweet taste and a dark brown colour. The inclusion of dried ginger and cardamom provides a traditional taste and a light spicy flavour. Also, coconut oil enhances the taste.

Jaggery is a traditional non-centrifugal cane sugar consumed in Asia, Africa and some countries in the Americas. It is a concentrated product of date, cane juice, or palm sap (see palm sugar) without separation of the molasses and crystals, and can vary from golden brown to dark brown in colour. It contains up to 50% sucrose, up to 20% invert sugars, and up to 20% moisture, with the remainder made up of other insoluble matter, such as wood ash, proteins, and bagasse fibres. Jaggery is mixed with other ingredients, such as peanuts, condensed milk, coconut, and white sugar, to produce several locally marketed and consumed delicacies. Unrefined, it is known by various names, including panela, in other parts of the world. The palm jaggery benefits for health are Rich Source Of Minerals: Palm jaggery is rich in essential minerals. Restores Healthy Digestion. Rich In Nutrients. Energy Booster. Active Cleanser. Relieves Constipation. Relieves Many Common Ailments. Heals Migraines

For a healthy life style- Ayurveda.Ayurveda is the oldest tradition of treating and cure illness. It different from other medical treatment because it has no side effects.  

It is abundantly available in Kerala during the summer season and is called by the different names like ‘Kappa’ or ‘Maracheeni’. The two main tapioca dishes which are popular in Kerala are Chenda kappa (plain boiled tapioca) and Kappa puzhkku (mashed tapioca with grounded coconut). Matured tapiocas are parboiled and dried in the sun so that it can be stored for longer periods. These dried tapiocas are called by the name ‘Unakka Kappa’ or ‘Vaattu Kappa’ (dried tapioca). During winter season these dried tapioca or Unakka kappa is normally used for the preparation of ‘Kappa Puzhukku’ or Tapioca with grounded coconut mixture. Fish curry and kappa puzhukku is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Kerala cuisines.

Cloves are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and western herbalism and dentistry where the essential oil is used as an anodyne (painkiller) for dental emergencies. Cloves are used as a carminative, to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and to improve peristalsis. Cloves are also said to be a natural anthelmintic. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy when stimulation and warming are needed, especially for digestive problems. Topical application over the stomach or abdomen are said to warm the digestive tract. Applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, it also relieves toothache. In Chinese medicine, cloves or ding xiang are considered acrid, warm, and aromatic, entering the kidney, spleen and stomach meridians, and are notable in their ability to warm the middle, direct stomach qi downward, to treat hiccup and to fortify the kidney yang.Because the herb is so warming, it is contraindicated in any persons with fire symptoms and according to classical sources should not be used for anything except cold from yang deficiency. As such, it is used in formulas for impotence or clear vaginal discharge from yang deficiency, for morning sickness together with ginseng and patchouli, or for vomiting and diarrhea due to spleen and stomach coldness. Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. They are native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, and are commonly used as a spice. Cloves are commercially harvested primarily in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. Cloves are available throughout the year.

Cardamom  are the dried fruits of perennial herbs. An aromatic spice indigenous to south India and Sri Lanka.Sometimes called cardamon or  Elakai,are one the most expensive and highest priced spices after vanilla and saffron. Cardamom seeds have a pleasant aroma and a characteristic warm,slightly pungent taste.The word “cardamom”  is derived from the Latin cardamomum There are two kinds of cardamoms found in the spice world. The two main types of cardamom are True cardamom (green or small or when bleached, white cardamom) cardamom belongs to the genus Elettaria and is distributed from India to Malaysia. Large cardamom,Nepal Cardamom or also known as the  brown, greater, longer, or  black cardamom belongs to the genus Amomum costatum and Amomum subulatum, which are distributed mainly in Asia and Australia. Both forms of cardamom are used as flavorings and cooking spices in both food and drink, and as a medicine.Green cardamom is used as a spice, a masticatory, and in medicine

Kodampuli, Kudampuli (Cambodge) : Freshly dried Kodampuli (Cambodge) sourced naturally from Kerala. Kodampuli is also known as gambodge/Cambodge, fish tamarind, Malabar tamarind and mistakenly as kokum. This fruit is used to add sourness to dishes /curries in Kerala. This is also Kerala’s  secret spice in seafood.  Kodampuli is a medium sized, evergreen tree and the flowers are sessile and axillary.  Its leaves are dark green, elliptic, shining to obviate.  It bears sweet sour mixed fruit.  The fruit may resemble a yellow  pumpkin.  When the fruit ripes, it’s plucked from the vine, deseeded and left to dry in the sun till it turns leathery

Black pepper is a pungent, hot spice with numerous health benefits. It is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicines. Black pepper is known to have many health benefits, but it should be used only in a moderate quantity. Piperine is the active component present in black pepper which gives them its distinguished taste. It is a good source of several nutritional minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, chromium and potassium. It also have a fair share of vitamins like vitamin A and C. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of black pepper makes it a unique medicinal spice. Good for digestion Enhances nutritional absorption Promotes weight loss Provides respiratory relief

HOME MADE BANANA CHIPS Crispy banana chips are deep fried or dried slices of bananas.They are fried in palm oil  and have a crispy texture and a salty taste. These are the most popular chips variety in Kerala. It can be had at any time of the day and is liked by all ages. ‘Nedran’ varieties among bananas are normally used for making banana chips. Good quality matured and unripe bananas are used for the preparation of these crispy and salty chips. It is packed in airtight plastic bags to preserve its crispness and taste